Rio Rico Resort and
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Rio Rico, Az - With daily temperature across Arizona streaking past 100, affordable, championship courses, where temperatures are still in the double digits, are at a premium. Look no farther than Rio Rico Golf Resort and Country Club located about an hour south of Tucson on I-17.
Rio Rico is one of Arizona's highest regarded courses and serves as the site for Arizona's annual PGA Qualifying School. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., this 7119-yard course has tight landing areas and the fastest greens in Southern Arizona, conditions reminiscent of a Tour event.
Last Thursday, I made the drive down from Tucson to play Rio Rico. I was greeted in the pro shop by a friendly assistant who made me feel just like a member. He told me that the course was in great shape and a round was only $40 including cart.
I hopped in my cart and drove over to the large driving range to warm-up. Adjacent to the range is a small short game area, which is necessary because chipping is not permitted on the practice green. After warming up I drove to the practice green to acclimate myself to the speed of the greens. I was surprised at how fast they roll, nearly 11 on the stimpmeter. Immediately, I knew that I did not want to be above the hole on any of these greens.
Rio Rico opens with a par 4, 430-yard dogleg left. Just by observation from the tee you can tell you'll need to hit it straight all day. A lake looms right of the fairway; a dense cluster of trees guards the left. What remains after that straight drive is a long iron second into a green guarded by a lone front bunker. Now you'll be thankful you warmed up on the practice green. Otherwise, you'd see your putt whiz by the hole to the opposite side, to be stopped only by the rough.
Rio Rico's two front side par 5's, #2 and #7, are straightforward yet scenic. #2, a three-shot par 5, requires the drive to fit between a left fairway bunker and right bordering trees. After advancing your ball down the fairway with your second, you'll have a relatively simple third shot into a wide but shallow green, with a good birdie chance remaining.
The 484-yard #7 also presents a chance for birdie if you can get near the green in two. A wide open tee shot into a valley leaves a second shot uphill to the bi-level, front-bunkered green. These are the only real birdie holes on the front side, so take advantage of them.
Two of Rio Rico's best holes are par 4's, #6 and #8. The dogleg left, 411-yard #6, has a demanding tee shot with fairway bunkers and trees on the right. The ball seems to just want to roll through the fairway. Your second shot, uphill into one of Mr. Jones' large, slippery greens, is no easier.
#8, the 439-yard signature hole, is brilliantly designed. An into-the-wind drive to a valley with trees on both sides sets up a beautiful yet challenging second shot. Then comes a long iron over water into a left-to-right green that's very difficult to hit. Instead, you may choose to play up the fairway with a short iron, leaving a wedge to the green, all the while watching out for the water.
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The final par 3, #17, measuring 200 yards, also plays over a lake. When the into-the-face wind blows, this becomes the hardest hole on the course. Try to go between the two huge lakeside trees. No room for shortcuts here; you must play straight at the pin. The only helpful aspect of this hole is the large putting surface.
Rio Rico ends with another solid hole, a 602-yard par 5. This is a true three-shot par 5, so a big drive will prove helpful for the approach. Trees border the fairway's right side; however, the real trouble spot is the lake guarding the front of the green. Because of the severe back-to-front slope, a front pin placement provides a thrilling downhill putt for golfers who play conservatively to the back.
Upon completion of his Rio Rico course, Robert Trent Jones Sr. commented, "I really felt I had a classic on my hands. Now, almost twenty-five years later, I still feel that way. Its gently rolling fairways and large greens provide for a beautiful yet challenging golf experience for even the most accomplished golfer."
Indeed, with unique and challenging holes, the front side warrants such high praise. The back plays more like an above-average municipal course, though, with mostly flat and unappealing holes. If you put up a high score on the front, it's consoling to know that you can recover on the back.
After your round, relax in the luxury clubhouse offering delicious daily specials. Then, if you're up for it, you may want to get in some more practice in the cooler temps before heading back to the triple digits.
Rio Rico Resort and Country Club
1069 Camino Caralampi
Rio Rico, Arizona 85621
(800) 288-4746
www.riocicoresort.com
Round: $40 with cart
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